Awning hoist



Oct. 23, 1951 B. E. TROUTMAN 2,572,077

AWNING HOIST Filed May 24, 1949 2 SHEETSSHEET 2 o 46 2f 0 4 INVENTOR. 26 2f gafi/ef 7/04/2074/2 O o %%umflmzwmwz Patented Oct. 23, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT" OFFICE AWNING HOI'ST Bobbie. 'lroutman .Baducah,v Ky. Application May 24, 1949', Serial No.- 95,019v 6'. Claims. (01. rec-s1) This. invention relates. tov'an awning hoistjand more particularly to arr. electric; screw hoist for raising and, lowering awnings and the like.

It. an object. of this invention to provide an awning raising and. lowering apparatus of the kind. to. be. more particularly described hereinafter; which: is adapted: for application tomany forms andtypes-of present awning; structures and requires very little modification of the present awning. structure'to accommodatert-he application ofithis device...

Another object of: the; invention. is to; provide an awning. hoistingmechanism; of this; kind which comprises. electric powerdriven screws swing-ably mounted above theawn-ingi engaging; the awning frame for pivot-ally swinging the frame to the 013611201. folded: position the, screws being swingableoutwardly uponextension; of the awning; and swingable inwardly to a folded position upon collapsing'orfolding of the. awning so thatthe awning; ac-tuating1sc-rews=- willnot. extend beyond thesawning in its foldedposition:

Stillanother object: of this invention is to provide apower operated awning hoist which is simhlc in structure and arrangement, thereby conveniently lending itself to theefiflcient opera.- I tion. and easeof installation and application. to the conversion. of present manually operated awning structures.

With the. above and: other objects. in. view. my invcntionconsists in; thearrangement, combination' and details of construction disclosed in the drawings and specification and. thenmore, par.- ticularly pointed out in the appended; claims;

In the drawings: V Figure l: is a. front elevation of an. awning having anawninghoistconstructed' accordingto an embodiment-oi thisinvention.

Figure 2 isv a transverse section; taken on the line12?-2, of Figure l. V V

Figure. 3 is a. fragmentary detailed sectiom partly broken away, showing the connection; be.- tween. the. electric motor and the geardriuen screw, at; one. end of thehoist.

Figure aisafragmentary side elevatiom partlv broken away and partly in section, showing the connection of one of the nut elements with the" frame and hoist. screw.

Figure. 5 is a transverse; section. taken. on the. line-5--5 of Figure 4. "1.59.

i ure- 6 is a wiring, dia ram. showing the switch and electric; motor'for. actuating-the hols Referring tothe drawingsthe numeral: H) des isnates generally a; hoistzdevice or electric hoist for a. substantially conventional type: of awning 68 U the hoist device: being operatively connected to: said awning; for elTecti-ng extensile and contractile movement-. 015 the awning with respect. to a supporting; surface-or support: [8. The awning H is formed of afabric outer: body 12 including a metal frame mat. thelower end thereof. The fabric body t2 includes an. elongated, substam tially rectangulah. top panel 15. and a pair of outer panels. 661 which. aresubstantially triangula-r in. configuration. The. main or outer. panel l5: is formed. with a plurality. of. apertures Iii along the upper edge thereof with which fastening hooks. H. are. adapted to be engaged, The fastening hooks. t! arafixedly secured to a fixed support it which. may be. a. wall or other. suitable fixed. supporting. device; The; lower edgesof the endpanels, l6. areiormed. with a tubular. hem l8 along the length thereof and. the. lower forward edge of the, main center. panel [5 is also. formed with a longitudinal extendingtuhular hem 2d.

'I ihemetali frame 54. which is enclosedin the horns of the. fabric body I2 is; substantially U.- shaped in. configuration having a pair of out.- wardly extending side. arms 2| connected together atv their outer ends by an elon ated transverse bar 22,, The inner ends. of the side bars. 21 are pivotally connected to brackets 24. which are fixedly secured to the fixed supporting, member [8, below the connection of the upper edge of the front fabric panel 15. a

The type; of awning described above is substantially conventional, in configuration and the hoisting mechanism It is particularly designed for other types of awnings formed" in substantially the same manner. as this awning. H. The electric hoisting apparatus l0 includes a pair of fixed" brackets 25 which are fixed to the supporting member l8'- and extend outwardly therefrom. One pair of brackets 2,5 are fixed to the supporting; member l8 atone end of the awning H= and" a second pair of similar brackets 25 are fixed on thesupporting member- F8- in alignment with the outer panel it, at the other end of the awning H. The pairsof brackets25 are fiXed-l'ysupported to the supporting member l8 above the upper" connection of'the awning H, abovethe fastening hooks i=1. Each of the bracket's' 25: is-fo'rmed' with a flat rear plate 26 which is adaptedtooverl'ie the flat outer surface of the suportingmember l8- and the plate 26 is formed with apertures 21 at the opposite ends thereof to which fastening devices may be engagedfor fixedly securing the brackets- 25" in their selected positions. A forwardly'extending; triangular web 28 is. fixed to or formed integral with the rear plate 25 of each of the brackets 25 and is formed with a bearing 29 at the extreme outer end of the triangular web 28. An elongated transverse drive shaft 30 is rotatably journaled in the bearings 29 of each of the brackets 25, and extends along the entire length of the awning above the upper end thereof. The shaft 30 constitutes the main drive shaft for the awning hoist mechanism D and is operatively connected to an electric motor 3| which is fixed on the supporting member |8, adjacent one end of the shaft 30 outwardly beyond one end of the awning- I.

A shelf or bracket 32 is fixed on the supportin member l8 adjacent one end of the awning and,

be fixed to the fiat outer surface of the member l8 and a forwardly extending horizontal shelf or plate 35. The supporting bracket 32 is formed in a substantially conventional manner having fixed triangular braces 35 connected between the vertical plate 34 and the horizontal plate 35. The motor 3| is adapted to be fixedly mounted on the upper horizontal plate 35, of the bracket 32 and a suitable reduction gear casing 31 is fixed on the casing of the motor 3| or otherwise suitably mounted for connection between the motor 3| and one end of the drive shaft 30. The-reduction gear mechanism 31 includes a small gear 38 fixedly mounted on the drive shaft 39 of the motor and engageable with an enlarged driven gear 49 which is fixedly connected to one end of the drive shaft 30.

A bevel gear 4| is fixed on one end of the drive shaft 30, between one pair of brackets 25 and a second, similar, bevel gear 42 is fixed on the other end of the shaft 30 between the other pair of brackets 25. A gear housing 44 or box is pivotally engaged about the shaft 30, between each of the brackets 25 at the opposite ends of the shaft. Each of the gear boxes 44 includes a pair of side walls 45 and 46 formed with bearings 41 and 48 respectively rotatably engaging the drive shaft 30. The side walls 45 and 48, of each of the gear boxes 44 are connected together by front, rear and top walls for enclosing the gears 4| and 42. As thus pivotally mounted on the opposite ends of the drive shaft 30, the gear boxes 44 are substantially free for rotation between the supporting brackets 25.

An elongated screw 48 is rotatably journaled at to the extreme outer end of one of the side bars 2| of the frame l4. Each of the side bars 2|, of the frame I4, is formed with a bifurcated outer end which includes a pair of transversely spaced apart, forwardly extending side arms 58 and 59 having aligned bearings or apertures GI! and SI for rotatably journalling the end of the transverse frame bar 22. The inwardly extending gear 5|, of each of the nut elements 50 and 54 is formed with a central aperture therein through which the transverse frame bar 22 is adapted to be rotatably engaged. The inwardly extending gear 51 all one end in the front wall of one of the gear casings '44 and extends downwardly and outwardly therefrom. A beveled gear 48 is fixed on the inner end of the shaft 48 and meshes with the beveled gear 4| for rotating the screw 48. The lower end of the screw 48 is threadably engaged in a nut element which is pivotally connected to one end of the transverse frame bar 22. Asec- 0nd elongated screw 5| is rotatably J'durnaled in the front wall of the other gear box 44 and has fixed on its inner end a gear 52 for meshing engagement with the gear 42. The screw 5| is threadabl engaged with the other nut element 54 which is pivotally mounted on the other end of the transverse frame bar 22.

Each of the nut elements 50 and 54 is formed with a cylindrical sleeve body 55 having a central threaded bore 5 5 internally thereof. The screws 48 and 5| are adapted to be thread-ably engaged through the sleeves 55 in threaded engagement with the internal bore 56 thereof. An-inwardly extending gear-5T is fixed to, or preferably formed integrally with one side of the sleeve body 55 to be pivotally or swingably connected is adapted to be positioned between the side arms 58 and 59 of the outer end of one of the side arms 2| for pivotally or swingably connecting the nut elements on the frame I 4.

- A suitable electric circuit 62 is adapted to be connected to the electric motor 3| for actuating the hoistin mechanism Ill and is connected to a conventional source of electric supply 64. The electrical circuit 62 between the source of electric supply 64 and the motor 3| includes a switch 65 for connectingv the motor 3| for selected reverse rotation. In other words by suitable manipulation of the switch 65, between the source of electric supply 64 and the motor 3!, the motor shaft 39 maybe rotated in a selected directionfor selectively raising or lowering the awning In the use and operation of the awning hoistfl D, the-awning hoist is mounted in the manner described above, and upon actuation of the motor 3|, when the awning is lowered as shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings the connection of the switch for rotating the motor shaft 3| in one direction will effect the simultaneous rotation of both of the screws 48 and 5| in their respective nut elements 50 and 54 to effect the pivoting movement of the frame I4 upwardly about its pivot brackets 24 for collapsing or raising the awning As the drive shaft 3| is positioned outwardly beyond the pivot connections 24,1inth'e fully folded position of the awning H the" frame 2| will be positioned vertically in'substan'tially overlying position relative to the supporting base I8 and the screws 48 and 5| will substantially overlie, on the outer side, the side bars 2| of the frame 4 so that the screws 48 and 5| "will be folded inwardly relative .to the awning II inits folded or collapsed position.

As the switch I5 is positioned for rotating the motor shaft 39 in the opposite direction for lowering the awning II, the drive shaft 30 will be rotated in the opposite direction for reversely rotating the screws 48' and 5| for lowering the awning frame |4 about its respective pivot. As the nut elements 50 and 54 arelowered along the length of the screws 48 and 5|, the gear housing 44 will be rocked outwardly about the drive shaft 30 and the nut elements *5!) and 54 will-be rocked inwardly and upwardly relative to the transverse frame bar 22, to a'position shown in Figure 2 of the drawings.

I do not mean to confine myself to the exact details of construction herein disclosed, but claim all variations falling within the purview of the appended claims.

. What-I 'claim is: I 1 g 1. An awning hoist for an awning having a frame pivotally mounted on a fixed support and includinga transverse outer bar comprising a pair of spaced apart nut elements pivoted on said outer'bar, a-pair of gear housings pivoted on said support, a rotatable screw extending from each'of said gear housings and engaging the respective nut elements; and electrically actuable gear means in said housings for rotating said screws for raising and lowering said awning.

2. An awning hoist for an awning having a frame swingably mounted on a fixed support comprising a pair of spaced apart nut elements pivoted on said frame, a pair of pivot brackets fixed on said support and extending outwardly beyond the pivotal connection of said frame, a rotatable shaft journaled in said brackets, a pair of spaced apart gear boxes pivotally mounted on said shaft, a screw rotatable in each of said boxes extending therefrom and engaging the respective nut elements, gear means in each of said boxes connected between said shaft and said screws, and electric means connected to said shaft for raising and lowering said awning.

3. An awning hoist for an awning having a frame swingably mounted on a fixed support comprising a pair of spaced apart nut elements pivoted on said frame, a pair of pivot brackets fixed on said support and extending outwardly beyond the pivotal connection of said frame, a rotatable shaft journaled in said brackets, a pair of spaced apart gear boxes pivotally mounted on said shaft, a screw rotatable in each of said boxes extending therefrom and engaging the respective nut elements, gear means in each of said boxes connected between said shaft and said screws, electric means connected to said shaft for raising and lowering said awning, said screws being respectively pivoted with said boxes and overlying said frame in the folded, raised position of said awning.

4. The combination with an awning including a horizontally disposed frame having one end pivotally connected to a supporting surface for movement from a horizontal position to a vertical position, a fabric body superimposed upon said frame and secured to the latter, the upper end of the said body being pivotally connected to the supporting surface above and spaced from the pivotal connection of said frame, a transversely disposed bar carried by the other end of said frame and secured to the lower end of said body, of a hoist device operatively connected to said frame and said supporting surface for effecting extensile and contractile movement of said awning with respect to said supporting surface, said device comprising a horizontally disposed shaft extending transversely of said frame positioned above and spaced from the upper end of said body and rotatably supported on said supporting surface, a pair of spaced projecting nut elements arranged above the swinging end of said frame and pivotally secured to the latter, and a pair of screws arranged transversely of and spaced above said body and each having one end in threaded engagement with the nut element adjacent thereto, and having the other end pivotally and rotatably connected to said shaft.

5. The combination with an awning including a horizontally disposed frame having one end pivotally connected to a supporting surface for movement from a horizontal position to a vertical position, a fabric body superimposed upon said frame and secured to the latter, the upper end of said body being pivotally connected to the supporting surface above and spaced from the pivotal connection of said frame, a transversely disposed bar carried by the other end of said frame and secured to the lower end of said body, of a hoist device operatively connected to said frame and said supporting surface for effecting extensile and contractile movement of said awning with respect to said supporting surface, said device comprising a horizontally disposed shaft extending transversely of said frame positioned above and spaced from the upper end of said body and rotatably supported on said supporting surface, a pair of spaced projecting nut elements arranged along the swinging end of said frame and pivotally secured to the latter, a pair of screws arranged transversely of and spaced above said body and each having one end in threaded engagement with the nut element adjacent thereto and having the other end pivotally and rotatably connected to said shaft, and electrically actuable gear means operatively connected to said shaft for effecting extensile and contractile movement of said frame.

6. The combination with an awning including a horizontally disposed frame having one end pivotally connected to a supporting surface for movement from a horizontal position to a vertical position, a fabric body superimposed upon said frame and secured to the latter, the upper end of said body being pivotally connected to the supporting surface above and spaced from the pivotal connection of said frame, a transversely disposed bar carried by the other end of said frame and secured to the lower end of said body, of a hoist device operatively connected to said frame and said supporting surface for effecting extensile and contractile movement of said awning with respect to said supporting surface, said device comprising a horizontally disposed shaft extending transversely of said frame positioned above and spaced from the upper end of said body and rotatably supported on said supporting surface, a pair of spaced projecting nut elements arranged along the swinging end of said frame and pivotally secured to the latter, a pair of screws arranged transversely of and spaced above said body and each having one end in threaded engagement with the nut element adjacent thereto and having the other end pivotally and rotatably connected to said shaft, a housing enclosing the other end of each of said screws and rotatably mounted on said shaft, a gear on said other end of each of said screws, and a second gear on the portions of said shaft within each of said housings and in meshing engagement with the gear on said screws adjacent thereto.

BOBBIE E. TROUTMAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 570,877 Morein Nov. 3, 1896 1,550,818 Kerlin Aug. 25, 1925 1,597,632 Stella Aug. 24, 1926 1,652,566 Emig Dec. 13, 1927 2,010,647 Schafer Aug. 6, 1935 

